Kirk Soroka

Defence Operations Advisor

Kirk Soroka is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and former 4 Wing Operations Officer at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. While at the RAF, he trained with several NATO countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the application of Strategic Air Combat Power. He brings extensive expertise in defence operations, strategic planning, and military procurement processes. With his deep operational background and leadership experience, Kirk brings valuable insight to UCan Brave Tech on defence capability development, procurement strategies, and mission-critical operations.

Ted Opitz

Defence Policy Advisor

Ted Opitz (retired Canadian Forces Lieutenant Colonel) is a strategic leader with extensive experience in national security, defence policy, and public governance, shaped by 33 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and subsequent parliamentary and advisory roles. His work includes major equipment support for Ukraine, early contributions to Op UNIFIER training, and participation in multiple democratic observation missions. He has led complex national operations, advised on defence industrial strategy and procurement reform, and chaired a long‑term care home board. He brings strong cross‑sector collaboration and governance expertise to his advisory role with UCan Brave Tech.

John Hryniw

Defence Technology Advisor

John Hryniw is a senior operations and strategy leader with over 30 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, with deep experience in leadership and complex program delivery. As co-founder of an Edmonton-based aerospace company, he helped develop advanced RPAS and autonomous detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems, and has worked closely with standards and regulatory bodies in Canada on emerging frameworks for uncrewed systems. He is currently the Managing Director of Foxhound Strategies, advising companies across aerospace, defence, and emerging technologies on growth and commercialization.

Vitaliy Milentyev

Finance & International Partnerships Advisor

Portfolio Manager at Cornerstone Fiduciary Wealth Management / Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the National Depository of Ukraine. Vitaliy is a seasoned financial professional with over 17 years of experience operating in both Ukrainian and Canadian markets. As Vice-President and Portfolio Manager at Cornerstone Investment Counsel, he expertly manages high-value portfolios and advises on investment strategy and financial planning. In addition to his financial acumen, Vitaliy is actively engaged in the business community, serving as President of the Alberta Ukraine Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Kulhawy

Advisory Board member

Robert Kulhawy is an experienced executive and advisor in the fields of technology and innovation. He has many years of expertise in strategic company development, managing international projects, and implementing advanced technological solutions. His background spans both the corporate sector and the startup ecosystem, allowing him to combine strategic vision with a practical approach to developing innovative products.

Jeff LaFrenz

Advisory Board member

Jeff LaFrenz is the Co-Founder and President of VizworX, a company specializing in advanced decision support, operations, and training solutions through immersive reality and complex data visualization technologies. A serial entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience in tech commercialization, Jeff bridges innovation with strategic business needs. He is an international speaker, active volunteer on industry and academic boards, and a recognized leader in aligning emerging technologies to enhance resilience, coordination, and impact in complex local and global environments.